Fantastic success for family after a ten year battle...

Press release statements issued on behalf of Radwan Hamed and his family in anticipation of the hearing in the High Court in London on the 4th October, by Diane Rostron.

Press Release 1

On 1 August 2006, our beautiful son, Radwan then aged 17, signed a professional contract with Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. He was an extremely gifted and talented player. Three days later, on 4 August 2006, he suffered a catastrophic cardiac arrest whilst playing football for the youth team in Belgium. On any view this was a tragedy.

He was deprived of oxygen for 16 minutes resulting in severe brain damage. His life was devastated - our hearts were broken.

After his collapse we discovered the Club were aware that Radwan might have an underlying silent, potentially fatal heart condition, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This condition recently took the life of Miles Frost, son of David Frost and a similar condition affected the Premiership footballer Fabrice Muamba. The Club did not tell us or Radwan about his potentially fatal condition. Had they done so, Radwan would not have continued to play football. Physical exertion, as in competitive football, is dangerous in those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Radwan’s cardiac arrest was wholly avoidable, so too the brain damage.

We have spent the last 10 years pursuing justice for our son. In February 2015, the High Court found Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and the Harley Street cardiologist negligent in the care provided to our son. They had spent 10 years denying any wrongdoing.

Since 2015 no fewer than eighteen experts have been required to assess and quantify what Radwan will need for the rest of his life.

Radwan has worked incredibly hard to recover from his devastating injuries. Despite all of his efforts, he continues to require help and support and will do so for the rest of his life.

Socially, emotionally, aspirationally, Radwan is like any other young fit man in his 20’s. Radwan suffers with impaired mobility, severe visual impairment and memory problems. These injuries prevent him from living a free, independent and full life – that is his tragedy, which can never be undone.

We are relieved to confirm that a settlement has now been agreed following negotiations with the Club and the cardiologist. The settlement will be used to care for and support Radwan for the rest of his life.

We remain heartbroken for all that our beautiful son has lost.

We are extremely grateful to our legal team and the experts who have helped us to pursue our crusade for justice for our son.

We hope that what has happened to Radwan will help to raise awareness of this silent but deadly condition. We fully support the campaign of the Miles Frost family in conjunction with the British Heart Foundation. We hope that sporting clubs and facilities at all levels will take the relatively simple and inexpensive steps to ensure that our tragedy is not repeated and inflicted upon another family.

10 years ago, our son, Radwan then aged just 17, suffered a cardiac arrest whilst playing football for Tottenham Hotspur.

Our athletic, enthusiastic, ambitious, beautiful son was no longer able to walk or talk. He was blind – he had no idea who we were. The doctors advised that recovery was highly unlikely, if not impossible.

Press Release 2

Our shock, devastation and despair has never left us and never will.

Tottenham’s doctor, Charlotte Cowie, knew that Radwan might have a potentially fatal cardiac condition. That vital information was never shared with us or Radwan.

Just as Radwan had no choice but to start his difficult journey towards recovery, we had no choice but to start the difficult journey to obtain justice.

We risked losing our home and faced personal financial ruin in order to pursue justice for our son.

In February 2015, after nine long difficult years, the High Court found the Club, it’s doctors and Dr Mills negligent.

Whilst today's settlement ends our painful crusade for justice for our son, it does not end his fight for recovery. That will never end.

He cannot live the life of a fit, young, independent man – that is his personal tragedy that can never be undone.

The compensation awarded will provide for the care and support he needs for the rest of his life.

We were, and are, disappointed that Tottenham let our son down so badly and denied any wrongdoing for so very long.

We are grateful beyond words for the recovery our son has made and continues to make.

We wish to thank our beautiful daughters and family for their love and support over the last decade.

We are grateful to the British justice system and our experts and legal team.

Finally, we hope that steps will be taken to ensure that our tragedy is not repeated and inflicted upon another family.